Purim & Responding to the Itamar Massacre

On Friday morning, as usual, I went to buy flowers for my Shabbat table. Zusha, the flower vendor, who had moved to Israel from California thirty years ago, was visibly upset. As I picked out a bouquet of colorful anemones, he was eager to tell me what had happened. A Facebook friend of his, Kenny, had posted a video on his Facebook page. When Zusha watched it, he was shocked to see that it was blatantly anti-Semitic. Zusha posted a comment: “I am offended by this video.”

In response, Greg from England, a friend of Kenny, sent Zusha’s Facebook page a message that left Zusha aghast. A former love-and-peace hippie, Zusha insisted that I see it for myself. With trembling hands, he located the message on his cellphone and handed it to me. On the screen I read:

"ZUSHA - I AM TOTALLY OFFENDED BY THE JEWS' USE OF WHITE PHOSPHEROUS TO MURDER PALESTINE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE WEST BANK. you make me and a large proportion of the world feel sick at the mere sight of you. repulsive murdering money grabbing runt. there is a very good reason why the jews have been despised by all nations thru all of recorded history."

“Jews murdering Palestinian women and children in the West Bank?” Zusha asked. “What’s he talking about?”

My mind raced trying to make sense of Greg’s accusations. Does he mean Gaza, not the West Bank? Is he referring to Israel’s retaliation on Gaza two years ago, after Gaza fired thousands of rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli civilians? But not one woman or child died in Gaza as a result of the substance.

Jew-hatred is the cause, and the results are the absurd accusations that the Jews are guilty of this or that crime.

Suddenly my mind screeched to a halt. I realized that all efforts to make sense out of this Jew-hater’s canard missed the basic point: Causes A, B, and C do not result in Jew-hatred. Rather Jew-hatred is the cause, and the result is the distorted, often baseless, and even absurd accusations that the Jews are guilty of this or that crime.

Believing that Israelis deliberately murder Arab children is as absurd as the centuries-long accusation that Jews kill Christian children in order to drain their blood to bake matzah. Any thinking person who bothered to investigate the truth would know that the Torah forbids eating blood, and all kosher meat must go through a process of soaking and salting in order to remove the blood. Did Christians and Muslims from the Middle Ages through the 20th century really believe the blood libels, or did they merely use them as an excuse to incite killing rampages of their local Jews?

“How should I respond?” Zusha asked me plaintively.

I stared blankly at the screen. How should we respond to anti-Semitism? If someone alleged that we Jews had stolen the land of Israel from the Arabs, I could refute him with historical facts. But how do you disprove lies to people who disdain proofs as inconvenient roadblocks on their highway of hatred?

WHO KILLS CHILDREN?

That very Shabbat night Arab terrorists broke into the home of the Fogel family in Itamar and savagely murdered the father Udi, the mother Ruth, 11-year-old Yoav, four-year-old Elad, and three-month-old Hadas. The victims were stabbed in the heart and their throats slit, almost decapitated.

The announcement of the massacre was greeted in Gaza by celebration and the distribution of sweets.

Although Judaism values the principle of “honoring the dead,” which would normally preclude showing the lurid photographs of the slaughtered children lying in their blood, the grandparents of the victims gave permission to release the photographs as evidence to the world of the brutal, deliberate murder of Jewish children by Arab terrorists. This was not a case of collateral damage during a military operation. Not a case of a child being caught in the crossfire of opposing gunmen. Not a case of bombarding a U.N. school that had been taken over by Hamas fighters. This was a case of an Arab man plunging his knife into the chest of a four-year-old boy and slitting the throat of a crying infant. And the photographs were the evidence.

The Israeli government released the photographs on Saturday night. Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu demanded that the nations of the world condemn the murder of Jewish children as enthusiastically as they condemn every home that is built in the disputed territories.

The Prime Minister is, after all, a logical man. When Israel opened a tunnel running along the outside of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount as an archeological site revealing the Jewish presence going back 2500 years , the Arabs rioted, accusing Israel of tunneling under the mountain. During a press conference in which Prime Minister Netanyahu explained the logistics of the tunnel, a foreign journalist challenged, “The Arabs claim that the tunnel runs under the Mount.” Netanyahu, annoyed, responded, “The Arabs claim… This is not a subjective matter, where the Arabs can claim whatever they like. Come and walk through the tunnel. Anyone can see that the tunnel runs north-south along the periphery and does not go under the Mount.”

The Prime Minister and most of us Jews still do not realize that anti-Semitism and its modern incarnation anti-Zionism have nothing to do with logic, nothing to do with evidence, nothing to do with proving facts.

But we doggedly continue to respond to the accusations against us with facts and proofs:

The “occupied territories” are not the source of Arab hostility, because the P.L.O., with its charter calling for the destruction of the State of Israel, was founded in 1964, three years before Israel entered the territories.

The “settlements” are not the obstacle to peace, because when Israel uprooted all the settlements in the Gaza Strip in 2005, the result, instead of peace, was a takeover by the Hamas terror organization that proceeded to use Gaza as a launching pad for rocket attacks into Israel proper.

The “Arab refugee problem,” in which Arabs were dispossessed of their homes and land by the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, was parallelled by the expulsion and dispossession of an equal number of Jews from the Arab countries where they had lived for centuries. While the fledging State of Israel absorbed these hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees, the Arab refugees were kept by Arab governments in squalid refugee camps, the world’s only “refugee population” that has maintained refugee status for three generations.

Yet the world ignores our facts and champions such myths as “Israeli apartheid.”

PURIM

Nowhere is the illogic of anti-Semitism as clearly revealed as in the Purim story. Haman, the viceroy of King Ahashverosh, was infuriated by the refusal of one Jew—Mordechai—to bow down to him whenever he passed. Rather than execute that one Jew, Haman requested and received from the king permission to “destroy, kill, and exterminate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women” on one day. Because Ahashverosh’s empire extended from India to Ethiopia and encompassed every single Jew then alive, the decree of genocide would have effectively obliterated the entire Jewish nation.

Up until the day the edict of genocide was made public, the other Jews castigated Mordechai for his stubborn refusal to bow to Haman. The Jews of Shushan, the capital, subscribed to the apparent cause-and-effect: Mordechai’s refusal to bow could cause trouble for them all. This is the classic paradigm of anti-Semitism, that the crime/refusal to conform/misconduct of Jews is the cause, and Jew hatred is the effect.

Purim is our paradigm for how to respond to murderous designs against us—to resolutely come closer to God and to each other.

But once it was revealed that all the Jews in the world were doomed to be murdered, a paradigm shift occurred. The Jews understood that their total annihilation was out of proportion to the simple refusal of Mordechai to bow to Haman. The hatred unleashed against them was illogical, senseless, irrational. Rather, something more profound and more cosmic was at play. Gripped by fear, Jews throughout the empire fasted, donned sackcloth, and called out to God.

According to the sages, the Jewish people accepted upon themselves the Torah twice in Jewish history. The first time was at Mt. Sinai after the Exodus from Egypt. The second time was at this point in the Purim story. It is axiomatic in Judaism that God runs the world. Our fear of national calamity should lead us not to craven submission to the demands of the Jew-hating nations, but rather to reconciliation with our God and our fellow Jews.

All the mitzvahs of Purim (sending foodstuffs to a neighbor, giving charity to the poor, congregating to hear Megillat Esther, and joining together for a festive meal) involve bonding with other Jews. This is the key to the salvation of Purim.

In the wake of the massacre in Itamar and the perverse failure of world governments and media to condemn such brutality against Jews, a ripple of fear can be felt here in Israel. I admit that reading Zusha’s cellphone screen, I felt an encroaching darkness. More and more 2011 resembles 1939. Purim is our paradigm for how to respond to murderous designs against us—to resolutely come closer to God and to each other.

Sara Yoheved Rigler is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, France, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Panama, and over 35 American cities. She is one of the most popular authors on Aish.com, world’s biggest Judaism website, and is a columnist for Ami Magazine. Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of five best-sellers: Holy Woman; Lights from Jerusalem; Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller); G-d Winked; and Heavenprints . She gives a weekly Marriage Webinar for Jewish Workshops on a spiritual approach to marriage, with hundreds of members throughout the world. She lives in the Old City of Jerusalem. Her newest book, Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup, the story of Henny Machlis, the Brooklyn-born girl who became a Jerusalem legend, was was released in November, 2016. Her website is: sararigler.com.

Just have two comments to make. First, the Jews have resided in their respective Middle Eastern communities for millennia, not centuries, anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 years. There are some communities who date themselves as far back as King Solomon.
The second comment is that it should be clearly stated that unlike the Jews who were forced to flee from the Middle Eastern countries due to fear of violence against them, the Arabs in Israel at that time were asked, even begged by the Jews in many instances to remain. They left because the Arabs outside Israel told them that if they didn't leave they would be considered traitors and that if they leave then they (the Arabs) would conquer Israel easily and they could all return to their homes. In addition no one stopped fleeing Arabs from taking their wealth with them and those who had wealth did indeed take it. The Jews in the Middle East on the other hand basically had to leave with only the clothes on their backs and a few paltry possessions if they were lucky. There are many stories of Jews who were fabulously wealthy and left with virtually nothing.
I'm sure that Mrs. Rigler is aware of all these facts and I think it's important to mention them.

(60)
Nicola Vollkommer,
March 22, 2011 4:59 PM

there are those who love the Jews, don't despair

as a non-Jew, daughter of a German mother and British father, I have since my childhood felt a deep and passionate identification with the Jewish people. As a little girl I wept over pictures of the Holocaust, and taught my own children to do the same. I grieved over the horror of the Itamar massacres, and I know many Germans who feel the same as I do. May G-d bless Israel, you are not alone!

(59)
judy fried,
March 20, 2011 4:22 PM

expel all the arabs, and build a wall, live in peace!!

i look at the pictures of the murdered family, and i cry, and cannot sleep. enough of trying to make peace! the world doesnt care of the precious lives lost. we, as jews from all over the world have to stick together, and help each other. we dont need the worlds approval for defending ourselves. my heart goes out to the family. i will do alot of praying, and hope that this never happens again.

(58)
Brura,
March 20, 2011 3:56 PM

It takes a hideous person to kill a family sleeping in their beds and especially the tiny baby. All were killed for no other reason than hatred of Jewish people. The murderers of this family almost in it's entirety are so blatantly bigoted that all the words in the world cannot suffice to explain the great loss and the unwarranted hatred that caused it. I do affirm that if I could find those that did this and especially those that killed children... I would be hard pressed to not retaliate. I know that sounds horrible and I would not want to kill and the yetzer hara would not be allowed to compel or impel me to do it but it is truly how I feel. This was a beautiful loving family and the murderers , in their cowardice murdered them as they slept. Cowardice is cowardice and that's it and that's all.

(57)
david spellberg,
March 20, 2011 2:41 PM

I would like everyone to see the video "No Guns for Jews" produced by the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Organization. It is very powerful and hopefully will change the minds of any Jew who is mistakenly for gun control. We must never forget. www.jpfo.org

(56)
Chava Yelloz,
March 20, 2011 12:44 PM

2011 Resembles 1939!

Sometimes the main point of a story is buried at the very end...this is the most important message of your piece Sara!
..."I admit that reading Zusha’s cellphone screen, I felt an encroaching darkness. More and more 2011 resembles 1939. Purim is our paradigm for how to respond to murderous designs against us—to resolutely come closer to God and to each other.

(55)
Ron,
March 20, 2011 9:16 AM

a different approach

About a year ago, I got divorced (yes i got a Get and no it wasn't my idea). For several months afterwards I didn't have the desire to leave the house when I wasn't working. So what did I do? I sat at home and rented historical documentaries from Netflix, two dvds at a time almost every other day. I've probably spent 400 hours learning about WW2, the Holocaust, ancient Jewish history, etc. One thing I learned was that Jews used to be famous for their ruthlessness in war and were once prized as mercenaries. They did not mess around in ancient days and were universally feared. Skilled fighters and quite capable of taking the fight to their enemies, they frequently showed as little mercy as their enemies. Now, an anti-semite might exploit this fact as proof that Jews are too heavy handed, employ disproportionate force or are savage war mongerers. Never mind that the opposite claim has also been charged against Jews throughtout history - Jews are too weak, too cowardly and just all around too passive. I think what we ought to learn from horrific and depraved acts of cowardice like the one perpetrated on the itamar family (which is not much different from executions of jews during ww2 in russia) is that the Torah explicitly commands us as Jews "to guard our lives". That's coming from G-d, not me. Let's take H-m seriously on this point and focus on protecting ourselves, our families, our neighbors, etc. Yes, people will spew baseless retarded nonsensical accusations at us. My response: who cares? Julius Streicher just before he was hung at nuremberg cried out "purim fest 46", before he hung from a rope. The US military tested his IQ after his capture and he was borderline retarded; why are we wasting our time on these jew hating losers. And why is anyone on Facebook? What a complete waste of time; go learn self defense techniques or go do jewish learning, forget about facebook and anti semitic vermin - neither is worth the effort.

Retaliate / take no prisoners.
The anti semites will accuse Israel of murdering peaceful palestinians anyway, so we might as well let them know the groundrules. Proportionality of response maybe a legal problem- but if you're in your home / someone breaks in and you OVERACT- I'd rather live with those consequences than the reverse.

(53)
Ruvain Avram,
March 19, 2011 11:43 PM

World Hate Against US continues

One of the most discraseful results that had transpired by this Horrible tragidity was the blackout by the News Media of all and any of this incident.,either televised or print.
In upstate NY not one mention nor any publishing of this intentional crime by Islamic Hamas! The sliencing of the lambs and the political deafness exceeds all boundaries, in America. I hope the JEWISH population
addresses this to all the media outlets of 'whom we are accused of controlling." I only found out via internet.
May the G-d of Israel have his way with those who have harmed the apple of his eye.

(52)
Anonymous,
March 19, 2011 3:26 AM

I have noticed that anti-semitism is increasingly acceptable, and that even "decent" people sometimes whisper about "Jewish money," "Jewish greed," and "Jewish control of the governments," etc. It is an upsetting and disgusting situation, and all I know is that there once was a Jewish girl named Esther, who was reminded that if SHE failed to do her part, she would perish and God would find somebody else to do the job. Well, I hope to do my part, like she did. I just need to figure out what my part is. Writing letters, taking a stand, defending Jews, Judaism and even Zionism, even when many Jewish people refuse to do so.

(51)
smb,
March 18, 2011 7:16 PM

look forward to the dawn

These are hard times, and we feel like loosing hope. But we must stay strong. The world is going through birth panges that hurt, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we just have to hold on. May that light come soon

(50)
Andy,
March 18, 2011 6:15 PM

re Jewish revenge/murder good comment but need clarification

'Of course, the Babylonian babies deserved it, being the children of our tormentors, babies who would probably grow up to be our future tormentors, too... '
We are halachicly forbidden to decide that they deserve it and kill children of murderous Jew haters because they will likely grow up to be the same.To kill them is to be a murderer. If God commands genocide then it's another situation but that's rare indeed.
Maybe someone who knows can interpret the phrase re praiseworthy dashing infants on rocks as it's worth understanding correctly.

(49)
Charlie,
March 18, 2011 5:56 PM

Reply to this fool

Yes, Zusha should respond, but coolly, just to point out what a total idiot this man is, and also remind him of the huge numbers of children who have died due to British foreign policy over the centuries. I have strong reservations about Israeli policy in Gaza and the West Bank and am British but this sort of gross anti-semitism needs to be countered whenever it raises its head.

(48)
Hanna Pesah,
March 18, 2011 1:27 PM

To N10

I don't understand what you are trying to say here? To my knowledge, I do not remember Jews being aggressors, just defenders. That is why we lost our country. I don't believe in Arab propaganda - they are just looking for excuses to justify what they are doing. Who knows who did what.
We all know Arabs, it is their hobby to hunt Israel., But if it is not Israel, it will be another country they would wont to take over. Remember Turks invading and holding Serbia for 500 years? Half of the words in the language is Turkish and almost all population looks like Turks. That is what they want - to take over the world and not let anyone else exist.
Should we wait for this and pray? Last time we prayed, we lost 6 million.

(47)
yelz,
March 18, 2011 9:08 AM

live like jews

we should and have to live like Jews but that requires from us not only to keep the Torah's laws but also to stand up for ourselves! To not care what the world has to say and to simply claim back what is ours and stop the spilling our holy brother's and sister's blood! we need to stop being afraid of the world and throw all the terrorists out of our home!

(46)
N10,
March 17, 2011 11:37 PM

Don't do unto others? Babylonian babies...

I don't mean to spoil the Purim party here, or lessen the horror and mourning for what just happened in Itamar. And you will be brave to post this, Aish.com.
But take a look at Psalm 137, which is customarily read before the long blessing after a bread meal on weekdays (and which also includes the verse sung at weddings before breaking the glass, "if I forget you, Jerusalem" etc.). It ends with "Praiseworthy is he who will clutch and dash your infants against the rock" (verse 9, Stone Tanach translation). Since it probably was done in sight of the infant's horrified family, it's not much worse than the terrible Itamar murders.
OK, it wasn't us Jews who did the bashing - it was hoped to be (Malbim's commentary quoted there) Darius the Mede, Babylon's conquerer. But the basher is not merely "happy" as in most translations; he is "praiseworthy", meaning that we should praise him for his killing method. That also doesn't sound much different than the Gaza celebration and candy distribution, at least in intention if not in expression.
I am of course not trying to justify the terrible tragedy that just happened in Itamar or the Gazans' reaction, but to say that we humane Jews would never condone similar violence just doesn't seem to be correct. Maybe, even though we used to condone it way back then, we wouldn't now. But then why do we still read it - and right after a meal, no less?! Of course, the Babylonian babies deserved it, being the children of our tormentors, babies who would probably grow up to be our future tormentors, too...
Perhaps it's just not humane for whomever the aggressor/defender is to kill and then praise/celebrate this way. Right, Ruth? Or maybe I'm just reading the verse a little too literally...

Isahiah62,
March 18, 2011 2:55 PM

not a book review here

I am of course not trying to justify the terrible tragedy
of course you aren't - just looking for a little moral equivalence perhaps?
why don;t you tell us how many Jewish friends you have now?
now please tell us what you think justifies slitting a baby's throat or stabbing a kid in the heart?
yeah our Book is bad as thier book -what a *(^)^

Moises Benzaquen,
March 18, 2011 5:57 PM

We do have a problem with the destruction of Amalek

I do not understand why you have to bring the Book of Tehillim to prove a point. What about the command given to Shaul by the prophet Samuel to destroy Amalek from adults to children and babies? How would that sit today with our present world?
Thank God our Rabbis did away with the idea of Amalek and its geneology. Obviously, the times of Tanach are very different from our days. Then we had prophecy and Hashem told us what to do. Today we don't. We remain forever "Rahmanim bene Rahmanim"

Anonymous,
March 21, 2011 12:02 PM

Did you forget about Parshat Zachor?

This past Shabbos we once again REKINDLED our memory of the halacha, or law, to remember -- never to forget -- what Amalek did to us, and reaffirmed HaShem's Will that we obliterate the memory of Amalek: "You shall wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the heaven -- you shall not forget!" [Stone Chumash, p. 1067]

(45)
Rabbi Steve,
March 17, 2011 10:44 PM

The rest of the story.

The "MIRACLE" of PURIM is made manifest not by the annulment of the DEATH DECREE but by the ability of our people to, with HASHEMS help, Defend ourselves. It is time for us to put an end to all this POLITICALLY CORRECT VERBAGE and protect ourselves and our nation. Hashem has promised to go before us in battle, but, we must first, like Gideon, get into the battle. And that means ALL OF US.

(44)
Janice Kenner,
March 17, 2011 10:09 PM

We need Moshiah, now!

(43)
Tali,
March 17, 2011 6:11 PM

Thank you

Thank you again, Sara, for your wonderful writing. You always inspire me, and have once again done so here, with this article. A couple of days ago, a Jewish friend told me, in response to something I said to him about being so troubled and sad over the murdering of this family, that the best thing we can do to combat this sort of ignorance and hatred is to live rightly as Jews. Sometimes, I forget that. Or I just don't do it. Over the past year I've struggled with trying to live a more observant life, sometimes with success, and other times not so much. I am reading your book, Lights From Jerusalem right now and am loving it. Reading it brings me right back to my center. I know I still have a long long way to go. But, I wanted to say thank you. May Hashem bless you and your family with a happy, healthy, and safe Purim.

(42)
Katherine Lipkin,
March 17, 2011 5:58 PM

should be read by many

Excellent. And, Chag Purim Sameach!

(41)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 4:52 PM

I can't take it anymore

I am Orthodox, the child of holocaust survivors but I must admit I am shaken and my faith is being tested. I can not bear these stories any longer and the growing amount of baseless hatred and lies spewing forth from the rest of the world. I hoped to be uplifted after the conclusion of Ms Rigler's article, but I remain heartbroken and depressed. May these innocent korbonos be a kapara for all of klal yisroel and bring Moshiach and an end to our suffering.

(40)
Shua Cohen,
March 17, 2011 2:58 PM

Fogel Family Emergency Fund

Please contribute to the tzedakah fund established for the surviving Fogel children — it can be found at the National Council of Young Israel’s website:
https://www.youngisrael.org/securecontent/donate.cfm
Where it says “Donation Information” scroll down to “Fogel Family Emergency Fund” (its the last choice on the drop-down menu).
Please do it today!

(39)
Andy,
March 17, 2011 2:06 PM

J has a point that the pain does not fit the crime Rabbi's also shared this thought

re the article and comment form J who writes that God is unjustly tough on the Jews. While J may be mistaken in some of her arguments about us Jews fulfilling our role in the world adequately she is foe sure not alone among believers in questioning God's fairness. Of course since we don't see true big picture reality and God does we are at a disadvantage. Still a helpless family being massacred as they sleep leaving orphaned kids makes it I think impossible to see the gam ze letov.Maybe gam ze le tov [that all that happens will ultimately be shown to be positive] is not true, but it does seem to me that given man's free will choices mistakes are made and in order to correct them and keep the world on course towards it's ultimate redemption nightmarish things happen and the just and loving God allows it. That is the Orthodox view as far as I'm aware and it seems to me to require great faith to maintain it given Jewsih history. The rabbis in a concentration camp put God on trial and found him guilty. They also did not lose their faith and after the trial they immediately prayed the evening service.

(38)
Jacenty Domanski,
March 17, 2011 1:13 PM

The western media creating false.

The most terrible matters in western style is lies of the media.

(37)
Rachel,
March 17, 2011 11:55 AM

Excellent

You articulated perfectly what I have been feeling about world hatred in correspondence to Purim- thank you- now I can share this with friends.

(36)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 10:30 AM

Sickness

Jewish blood gets cheaper by the litre and gas goes up in price! When will Israel wake up to this threat and deal with the arabs in the only way they understand-by the sword!!!!.

(35)
sharona,
March 17, 2011 7:55 AM

great message, we should come together and make a positive impact

(34)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 7:41 AM

What to do in the face of terrible tragedy?
We must all stand in the night seasons and bless the L-rd.
This we must do. It will make things happen.

(33)
kanyi muchina,
March 17, 2011 6:50 AM

haters of mankind are children of the devil.

jews as citizen of this world has a right to live in peace in their nation of israel without any threats from the arabs,nobody has more rights over this world than others.therefore the muslims should keep their religion of hatred to themselves without exporting it to the rest of peaceful world because all terrorists are muslims although all muslims are terrorists.my advice is that israel should use propaganda to defend it's image dont bother about facts,tat for tat lies for lies rocket for rocket,missle for missile,propaganda for propaganda.otherwise unless you counter arab lies with facts minggled lies the whole world will believe is true.bribe for your propaganda to be covered by international media houses for the world to hear your story as a nation,

(32)
Lee,
March 17, 2011 5:28 AM

Despite every effort to destroy the Jewish people, their very survival and prosperity on this earth is proof positive that G-d exists: that is the sole reason why such hatred has been perpetrated against them for hundreds and hundreds of years. It is a spiritual war that must be fought with much prayer and righteous living.

(31)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 4:38 AM

Excellent writing!

I see hope...

(30)
Brian and Anne Nelson,
March 17, 2011 3:40 AM

We bow out hearts in deep repentance for this barbaric act of depraved humanity against HaShem and His Chosen People

May all human beings who truly believe and live The Ten Commandments as given by HaShem TWICE in The Hebrew Scriptures speak out and publicly condemn the senseless and brutal killing of fellow human beings made and created in the image of HaShem, especially those of His Chosen People!! and we pray that those responsible for these murders will, as The Hebrew Scriptures teach, receive nothing less than the death penalty.

(29)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 2:31 AM

excellent article, very clear and concise.

As a Christian, my entire family strongly love and support Israel and all the wonderful things Jewry has done to help people and countries everywhere in so many ways. I strongly believe your strongest ally in Israel's right and covenant stated existence are my fellow evangelical Christians. Please keep me informed thru your web site and other ways of the situation in Israel and world jewry in other areas of the world.

(28)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 1:46 AM

My heart goes to this family and this horrible death should be remenbered and shown all over the world .
I sincerely hope that the army will definately catch these barbarians and condemn them to death.
I also hope that they will be hanged like hamman for POurim

(27)
Avner Fazilov,
March 17, 2011 1:02 AM

Shocking emotional and sad!

My tears and prayers go to the victims, may there souls rest in peace.

(26)
Anonymous,
March 17, 2011 12:13 AM

i am consumed with such rage about this massacur

the only way i can deal with it, other than cry, scream, and be paralyzed by these butchers who murder innocent jews, is by reading the garden of emuna, by rav arush, that Hashem has a plan..all He does is good, i must keep praying and saying that, otherwise i would go mad with all this anitsemitism, Jew hatred, blind, fanatical Israel and Jew hatred, it is beyond comprehension, and where is the left wing media???????????if Jews did this to an arab family???all over the news

(25)
ruth housman,
March 16, 2011 11:20 PM

unconscionable acts

Sometimes when you look at these acts, you lose faith in humanity. I cannot imagine, anyone, murdering children, a family, in cold blood in this way, and there can be no justification for cold blooded murder of any kind, ever.
People seem to enjoy hating, and I am not sure how one remedies this need to have an object, a peoples, a cause that permits this kind of violence. There is no mitigating factor, ever, for what just happened. Maybe object is the operative word because those who do these things, clearly do not regard others as people, but rather as objects of hate.
People consumed by such hatred cease to be human beings. I have no definition for them. I would feel the same way regardless of race, color, creed. To be human precludes cold blooded cruelty and inhumanity, wherever it is practiced.
How do people "arrive" at that place?
I am not sure I want to know. Sometimes the world is just too terrible a place, and we need to seek comfort and solace in the humanity that is very visible around us. As to defense against such terrorist acts, it's an almost insoluble problem when those who do these things, as in self immolation, don't care if they live or die, and have some notion God wants them to do this, for the greater glory.
Who speaks for G_d? It would seem by now to be a question easily answered in the negative, as to who does not speak for G_d?

(24)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2011 11:18 PM

Where are the sackcloths and ashes?

In all my days on this Earth, I have never seen more horrible occurrences happening within such a short span of time. It is beyond obvious that we are being given signs that something is terribly wrong and that worse events are coming. If we learn one lessen from the Megillah, please let it be that we are being judged and must respond with public fasts and teshuvah. We need to organize, get out on the streets, and cry out to Hashem to save us. Especially those who claim to be Torah observant must return to Torah with all of their hearts, souls and bodies. Perhaps we can avert the looming disaster.

(23)
David,
March 16, 2011 10:49 PM

Shalom; I am chilled by the last part of the article,.."I felt an encroaching darkness....."
.2011 more and more,resembles 1939." For me, as a 4yr. old, I knew nothing but! War! in 1939....the Fear of the nazis,coming to get us,my Bubbah and Aunts, constantly assuring me,that was not going to happen,the constant air raids, and the running to shelters,if we were at Home or under our desks,if I was in school!! Please G-d!! never again!! David, Vancouver,Canada

(22)
Devorah Springer-Deutsch,
March 16, 2011 9:10 PM

Emes is all there is!

For those who know the truth, no explanation is necessary; for those who live with lies, no explanation would suffice.
May we soon see Moshiach and then the whole world will know and we will know what it's all about. Thanks for your clear and inspiring summary of the TRUTH.

(21)
anne-marie simon,
March 16, 2011 8:56 PM

As time passes, I fear the worst is yet to come.

As a Christian Canadian, I can assure you, my friends, that if a country was to attack Israel, that country would become our enemy as well. Unfortunatelly, anti-semitism is on a personnal level and diffused among the populations of the world...what can we do?

thank you, sara, for writing such a clear & direct piece. your words are spot on. this week has been so difficult - i've been wavering between bouts of nausea and chokes of tears - and and i needed someone to help put it all in context. i admire you greatly. may Hashem continue to provide clarity to us and the other nations. may Hashem rain blessings upon you. b'vracha, debra

(18)
Sadie,
March 16, 2011 7:39 PM

Just what I needed to read....

Beautiful article- Thank you!

(17)
Julie,
March 16, 2011 7:31 PM

Our ancesters surrvived the anti-semitism of Haman. We can too. Tomorrow is the fast of Esther. We will fast, donn sackcloth, and cry out to Hashem.
Anti -semitism slept a long time. It's waking up again. Let's get it back to sleep again before any more of us are layed to rest.
Cry to Hashem today, tomorrow, and eveyday until we live in peace in our homeland, and all of mankind lives in peace throughout the entire world.

(16)
Gary Katz,
March 16, 2011 7:10 PM

Greg probably would find a reason to hate Jews anyway, but in this case, he was relying on Pal-aganda (get it?), spreading lies about Israel's conduct. The Palestinians have learned to toss out words like "genocide" and "holocaust" to trigger whatever anti-semitism tendencies lie active or dormant in the general population. There's something extremely slimy about trying to rally people to your cause by appealing to their basest, most ignorant emotions.

(15)
Sharon,
March 16, 2011 6:52 PM

Today's Jerusalem Post reports the result of a survery in EU

Several members of the European Union participated in a survey which showed that about half of the participants believe that Israel is guilty of regularly murdering Palestinians. In addition, about the same number agreed that given Israel's murderous behavior it is reasonable to hate all Jews.
So why confuse these people with the facts. They're happier believing that all Jews are the devil. It's really scary! So I well understand Zusha's feelings. We can only be comforted in knowing that in the final days, the light of truth will shine and justice will be served as Hashem's glory is known throughout the world.

(14)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2011 6:34 PM

this needs to go viral--it needs to be read i have shared it already

this needs to be sent out beyond the aish mailing list-it needs to go viral-it needs to be read, i have shared it already.

(13)
Miriam Maor,
March 16, 2011 5:29 PM

Only should be one difference this time

Beautiful summary and perspective. I would only add that just as there was a difference in the first acceptance of the Torah to the second on Purim, there needs to be a difference, or more of a focus change here. The first acceptance of Torah was out of fear, the second out of love, and this time there needs to be a happiness and simplicity of Emunah as never before!!! May we merit the redemption through thanksgiving to Hashem for EVERYTHING, with the realization that Hashem does everything, and everything Hashem does is GOOD!!!
Happy Purim!

(12)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2011 5:23 PM

how to respond to hatred

I agree with the author wholeheartedly, but we should never have given up the West Bank or Gaza; never, never never. Israel needs to have a physical buffer to protect themselves. It's that simple. We can't let anyone else be murdered like this. It must end.

(11)
Jody Barankin,
March 16, 2011 5:12 PM

Just a small correction...

...to your otherwise very insightful and thoughtful article. You note that "[t]he 'Arab refugee problem,' in which Arabs were dispossessed of their homes and land by the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948" is not accurate. After 11/29/47, agents from the various arab governments were sent into "Palestine" to encourage the arabs to leave their homes "temporarily" until the Jews were driven into the sea. Once that occurred, well then they could return and take over the abandoned properties. The Jewish response was to plead with these people to stay, that they would not only be welcome in Israel, but would remain with full citizenship. As you so aptly put it - Anti-Semitism has "nothing to do with logic, nothing to do with evidence, nothing to do with proving facts...."

Clare,
March 16, 2011 11:23 PM

Jody: Absolute Verifiable Truth About Refugee Plight

Add: The one's that, ignored the Arab demand to leave for a short time and stayed, remain citizens of Israel today with FULL CITIZENSHIP rights.

(10)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2011 4:49 PM

Thank You

Very well written. Thank you.

(9)
Debra Zucker,
March 16, 2011 4:46 PM

Critical article to read and to forward

Thank you for this article -- it is the best, most clearly and concisely written article I've read which addresses objections to the "settlements." I will be forwarding this article to many of my Jewish friends and family.

(8)
Anonymous,
March 16, 2011 4:26 PM

It is a tragedy and I hope and pray G-d will rid this madness from humanity. We have to do our part and I hope I will be identified with the nation of Israel forever.
The connection to Purim makes it very clear to me, an outsider to Judaism that the descendents of Abraham have seen it before and the Torah lessons give the true solution for the problems facing humanity.
I rely on this website for information on Israel and I need to know the facts , history and religion that will enable me to defend Israel.
It is not that I am asked or expected to defend Israel but I feel there is some misrepresentation of facts and stereotyping of Jews even here, away from the Middle East community and its not right.
With all these dangers I still feel I must convert to Judaism because of how I came to know about the Torah and the benefits that I have derived from it.
Today it is anti semitism, who knows what it will be tomorrow? No one is safe so we need to see this threat at an individual level.

(7)
J,
March 16, 2011 4:07 PM

If All is in God's Hands ...

I find it distressing and disappointing that us Jews - His people - must constantly be subjected to baseless hatred and tribulations. We blame anti-Semites for this, but, in the the same way that God hardened Pharoah's heart and made Haman act irrationaly and seek to obliterate all Jews, we also have to look to God and ask, "Why? Why must we be butchered and threatened and denigrated again and again and again?" Is there no end to this? The Holocaust wasn't enough suffering?!
If the answer to this is that we do not treat our fellow Jews well enough, then I ask - when have the Jews ever been more charitable than now? Was there ever a time where there were more philanthropic Jewish organizations whose mission is to help fellow Jews?It just doesn't make logical sense. We were given intellect to study and question and discover. But are we not supposed to question when is enough?
As for prayer and study of the Torah and His laws, I ask again, has there ever been a time in recorded history when more Jews were Torah observant, keeping kashrus, davening, etc.?
I admire your passion and commitment, Ms. Rigler. But are we never allowed to question Him and His ways? Do we just ignore what our intellect tells us - that we are the whipping boy of the entire world - and continue to just wait and wait for salvation? I guess Galut of 2,000 years isn't enough.
I know that this may not be posted because many might view my words as heretical; but I believe my point of view is valid, and I'm certain I'm not alone in feeling this way.

G21,
March 17, 2011 3:08 AM

Agreed.

This is the paradox which our traditions cannot quite answer with logical reasoning - its true that we have brought much good to the world. Logically, when you hand a piece of bread to someone starving, as Jews throughout the ages have handed gifts to Western Civalization such as concepts of human rights, education, etc., you would expect an outreaching and greatful hand. A rabbi told me that 'any time you try to do good, there will always be evil forces to deter you from your goal' - this does not make sense to me. I also don't understand why, as 'J' has suggested, if we are supposed to be a light unto the nations, why our job has been so difficult! It is definately not possible to be a light unto nations when the nations are rejecting you every step of the way! As G-d's chosen people, why aren't more people rejoicing, concerning our accomplishments? Has Hashem harded the heart of the Arab world ? And why would he do this???

(6)
Devoah,
March 16, 2011 4:01 PM

Thank you for the artical

A well written article. I would like to point out in the history of war and land exchange, never has an attacked country, whether it was founded by land grant, (United States and Australia come to mind), or existed since ancient times been demanded to give back land they took in a military action. All the lands Israel has aquired since its founding have been defending itself from attacks. And yet who is being asked to give up the land? Should not the thought be, "We attacked you and there is always a chance we will lose (even if we think we can win) so if you gain land, we forfit it."
When I was a child, a friend of mine gave me a toy. She said she didn't want it any more, so I could have it. A week later, she cried to her mother that I had her toy. When the mother came to our house demanding I give the toy back, the giving became known, the mother apologized and told her daughter that if she did not want to give away a toy, that she could lend it, but when it was given it was gone. War is similar.
What happened during the Itamar Massacre is not war. It was murder. It is not even similar to what happens when Israel has to defend itself.
Part of the problem is that Hamas hides its warriors in homes, to create collateral damage that looks outragous. This has bothered me for years, and yet, why does nobody talk about this practice? If Israel did this the world would be horrified. But it is acceptable for Arab countries to do this? Why? Had this been the other way around, more press and world condemnation would have been heard.

(5)
David,
March 16, 2011 3:56 PM

Exactly right...

Yes, anti-Semitism seems to be a particularly virulent form of lunacy. I've seen lots of articles like this one which state facts about it, but I have yet to see a plausible explanation of the phenomenon. The age-old question of "Why the Jews?" seems doomed to go unanswered. Maybe it's just time to stop looking for logical reasons for things that are, in their essence, illogical.

(4)
virginia,
March 16, 2011 3:50 PM

we must not let these deaths be in vain--

may we gather & pray for the strength to grieve for and honor the lives lost in this senseless tragedy, and then--may we go deep within ourselves, to our heart of hearts, & remember that we are One People; that the same breath that gives us life, also animated those who perpetrated this killing. somehow we must find a way to forgive them, for to not do so would not be loving to us, to Ha'Shem, nor would it honor the Spirit of this beautiful and loving family. the killers have forgotten who they are--we cannot afford to do so.

(3)
Annette Glassner,
March 16, 2011 3:32 PM

Thank you Sara

Thank you Sara for expressing what many of us feel at this time. When will Jews the world over get it through their heads that there is NO logic and no basis for the world's hatred of us? Thank G-d there are some non-Jews who understand this and support Israel. But there are so many Jews who do not understand and in fact work against the Jewish state!
Please keep writing and expressing the truth.

(2)
Steve Stucker,
March 16, 2011 2:36 PM

We Stand WITH Our Brothers the Jews

Thanks for this clear & concise article that sets the record straight! Please know there are many Evanglical Christians in the U.S.A who pray for the peace of Jerusalem every day, who will insist our government continues our history of supporting Israel's right to exist, & to protect herself from enemies. YOU are God's chosen people...& We will Not Let You Stand Alone!

(1)
Nehama Julie Sharabi,
March 16, 2011 11:48 AM

You've Done it Once Again, Sara Yoheved Rigler

Your brilliance and wisdom serves as a real comfort to us during such a difficult time. Thanks again for coming through.